Extend J&K ceasefire, says army chief

Army Chief General Padmanabhan on Friday put his weight being the argument for an extension to the ongoing government initiated ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

At a press conference in Defence Headquarters in New Delhi, he said that the advantages of a ceasefire in J&K far outweigh the disadvantages.

"I believe that the ceasefire is a good thing and if the government thinks that the ceasefire should continue then we should continue," he told reporters.

"I hope that ceasefire will lead to something more hopeful and concrete. There is a huge burgeoning of hope since the ceasefire was announced and people in J&K are a relaxed lot today," he stated.

About the situation on the border, he said, "There have been very few firing incidents and fewer casualties since the ceasefire. There is a definite reduction in infiltration of militants from Pakistan."

He also said that Pakistan's announcement of maximum restrain is 'holding' barring light firing from their side.